Blood Royals (2017) Board Game

Blood Royals is a strategic two-player board game set in a medieval world where players take on the roles of rival noble houses competing for power and influence. Designed by Jason Tagmire and published by MS Edizioni in 2017, the game has gained popularity among fans of the Print & Play genre.

Game Components of Blood Royals

Dice: 5 minimum, with 10 shared dice and a die in each color for each player recommended.

Gamebook: Contains sheets corresponding to different ages, each with two sides for the two players.

Major Supporters: Represented by symbols on the supporter columns.

Timeline Track: For tracking the game’s progress.

Location Squares: For marking claimed territories.

How To Setup Blood Royals

To set up Blood Royals, players start by pulling out the sheet corresponding to the age they are playing. Each player chooses one side of the sheet. The game requires a minimum of 5 dice, but having 10 shared dice and a die in each color for each player makes the game more manageable. Once the dice are distributed, the game is ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Rolling: Players simultaneously choose an action represented by one face of a die.

Paper-and-Pencil: Actions are resolved by rolling the dice and marking the outcomes on the game sheet.

Territorial Control: Players aim to claim locations and Major Supporters by circling numbers on the Timeline Track.

Blocking Mechanism: Players can block each other’s actions if they reveal the same number, skipping the round.

Game Objective: The goal is to claim as many locations and Major Supporters as possible before the last space of the timeline is used or all lands and supporters are claimed.

Player Experience

Blood Royals offers a unique blend of simultaneous action selection and territorial control. Players engage in a tug-of-war style gameplay, where strategic thinking and a bit of luck are crucial. The game’s mechanic of blocking each other’s actions adds a layer of tension and mind games, making each round interesting and unpredictable.

Pros

Unique Gameplay: Simultaneous action selection leads to interesting struggles.

Portable: The game is just a book, making it very portable.

Engaging Mechanics: The tug-of-war aspect and Major Supporters add depth to the game.

Cons

Complex Rules: As the game progresses, the rules can become more complex and harder to navigate.

Blocking Mechanism: Can be frustrating when players block each other frequently.

Spoilers: The layout of the gamebook can make it difficult to avoid looking at spoilers for the next chapter.

Personal Thoughts on Blood Royals

Blood Royals is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with a medieval theme and are comfortable with dice rolling and paper-and-pencil mechanics. It’s a great choice for those looking for a quick, engaging game that requires strategic thinking but may not be suited for players who prefer simpler rules or longer gameplay sessions. The game’s unique mechanics and portable nature make it a fun addition to any board game collection.

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